Steve Alexander

The Daily Dose

Dose: Melo, Mullens Go Down

Carmelo Anthony left Monday’s game after suffering a right knee injury just 16 minutes into the contest, finishing with six points in a win over the Cavaliers. The good news is he won’t have X-rays or an MRI, and the injury doesn’t appear to be serious. Consider him questionable for Wednesday. Amare Stoudemire played a season-high 32 minutes for 22 points, six boards and a block, and it appears that Mike Woodson is finally ready to start giving him more run. He was controversially averaging just 22 minutes over his recent games, while James “flight” White is somehow in the starting five. J.R. Smith is hot again and had 18 points, seven boards and a 3-pointer, and is racking up points, rebounds and threes right now. Jason Kidd played well in a second straight game with 12 points, eight boards, three steals and three 3-pointers, and it’s time to put him back on the radar. Steve Novak hit four 3-pointers for 15 points in 20 minutes, and clearly benefitted from Melo’s absence. Not a single Knicks starter scored more than eight points, yet they still won the game.

Dion Waiters and Tyler Zeller sat this one out with illnesses and Marreese Speights had 23 points, eight boards and a steal on 10-of-14 shooting in a start at center for Zeller. Keep an eye on him. Kyrie Irving returned from a knee injury for 22 points and a full stat line, rewarding owners who rolled the dice and put him back in lineups. Shaun Livingston still managed eight points and five dimes in 23 minutes, but it’s hard to see him sustaining value as long as Irving is back. Luke Walton somehow had a career-high 12 assists last night, but should be ignored until further notice.

E’Twaun Moore and Beno Udrih disappeared in the return of Jameer Nelson, who started after missing six straight games with a knee injury. He had 15 points, two 3-pointers and seven assists in 37 minutes. Nice work if you were brave enough to throw him into your lineup. Tobias Harris bounced back with 15 points and a 3-pointer on 6-of-9 shooting, along with five boards and two steals in 31 minutes. I started him in several leagues this week, and feel good about it after Sunday’s 3-of-14 shooting disaster. Andrew Nicholson played just 16 minutes, and has become a fantasy liability due to a lack of consistent playing time, while Moe Harkless stayed relevant with 13 points, four boards, two steals and a block in 37 minutes. Arron Afflalo had 26 points with five boards, five assists and a steal in the win.

Anthony Davis played through his shoulder injury after missing a couple and had 17 points, 15 rebounds and four blocks in 39 minutes. This was one of his better lines of the season, and I hope it wasn’t wasted on your bench, as it was on mine. Eric Gordon had 17 points and three 3-pointers, but didn’t do much else and appears to be unlikely to play in one of the Hornets two games this Saturday and Sunday. Greivis Vasquez, Al-Farouq Aminu and Ryan Anderson all produced, while Robin Lopez had an off night with nine points, four rebounds and zero blocks.

LeBron, Wade lead Heat over Wolves

LeBron James’ knee injury didn’t appear to be a problem last night, when he hit 9-of-16 shots for 20 points, 10 boards and another full stat line in a win over the Wolves. Dwyane Wade had 32 points, seven boards and 10 assists on 15-of-23 shooting, helping the Heat win their 15th straight game. Chris Bosh added 11 points and nine boards after grabbing just one rebound in his previous game.

Ricky Rubio left briefly with a left knee injury, but was able to return, finishing with 14 points, five boards, eight assists, six steals and two 3-pointers, hitting a somewhat miraculous 6-of-11 shots for one of his best lines of the season. This is his surgically repaired knee, so owners will want to keep an eye out for more information going forward, but he looks fine. Nikola Pekovic was out with his abdominal strain and J.J. Barea hit just 1-of-11 shots before being ejected after committing a flagrant foul on Ray Allen. Hopefully he’s not suspended for a game, and was playing well coming into this one. Derrick Williams stayed hot with a season-high 25 points to go along with 10 rebounds and a 3-pointer in 45 minutes. As I’ve been saying everywhere lately, he’s become a must-own, must-start player, and came through again last night. Dante Cunningham had eight points, 11 boards, a steal and a block, as Andrei Kirilenko (calf) and Pekovic missed another game. Cunningham is worth a close look as long as Kirilenko remains out with his injury. Alexey Shved had 13 points, but I’d still rather own Luke Ridnour and Barea instead.

Bucks beat Jazz in OT behind Jennings’ assists

Brandon Jennings stayed hot, hitting 8-of-14 shots for 20 points, 17 assists, three steals and four 3-pointers in 47 minutes. He had 19 assists on Saturday, and it’s possible that he has finally figured out how to play with Monta Ellis and J.J. Redick. Enjoy the ride while he’s this hot. Monta Ellis did it again with 34 points and a full stat line, shooting lights-out by hitting 15-of-21 shots, while Redick added 17 points and three 3-pointers in 30 minutes. I’d be surprised if these three guards continue to all stay this hot while competing for minutes, but anything is possible. The Larry Sanders show was on again last night, as he had eight points, 16 rebounds and six more blocks. Hey now! Ersan Ilyasova hit just 3-of-13 shots on the night for seven points, but should bounce back, while Samuel Dalembert made an appearance with eight points, nine rebounds, two steals and a block. Continue to ignore him for now.

Derrick Favors scored a career-high 23 points with 15 boards, a steal and a block in a tough loss to the Bucks. Al Jefferson sat this one out with a sprained ankle, and anytime that happens, Favors is a safe bet for production. Enes Kanter added 18 points, 10 rebounds and a block, but was a risky weekly start with Jefferson’s status for the week still in question. Paul Millsap returned from his ankle injury to join the party, and had 22 points, 14 rebounds, three assists and three steals in 44 minutes of the overtime loss. Gordon Hayward stunk, hitting just 3-of-16 shots, but still managed 13 points, seven boards, five assists and a 3-poiner in the loss. Marvin Williams suffered a hand injury tonight and failed to score, which is more good news for Hayward’s owners going forward, so keep rolling with him. As long as Jefferson is out, Millsap, Favors and Kanter look like must-starts. Mo Williams is targeting a Wednesday return from his thumb injury and given that the Jazz literally got nothing from their starting guards (Randy Foye & Earl Watson), it’s time to pick him up. Alec Burks hit 7-of-10 shots off the bench for 19 points, four assists, two steals and a 3-pointer, but also had six turnovers. He’s worth a close look, but there were simply more minutes to go around tonight with Jefferson in street clothes and Marvin hurting.

Knicks lose Melo, beat Cavs in Kyrie’s return

Carmelo Anthony left Monday’s game after suffering a right knee injury just 16 minutes into the contest, finishing with six points in a win over the Cavaliers. The good news is he won’t have X-rays or an MRI, and the injury doesn’t appear to be serious. Consider him questionable for Wednesday. Amare Stoudemire played a season-high 32 minutes for 22 points, six boards and a block, and it appears that Mike Woodson is finally ready to start giving him more run. He was controversially averaging just 22 minutes over his recent games, while James “flight” White is somehow in the starting five. J.R. Smith is hot again and had 18 points, seven boards and a 3-pointer, and is racking up points, rebounds and threes right now. Jason Kidd played well in a second straight game with 12 points, eight boards, three steals and three 3-pointers, and it’s time to put him back on the radar. Steve Novak hit four 3-pointers for 15 points in 20 minutes, and clearly benefitted from Melo’s absence. Not a single Knicks starter scored more than eight points, yet they still won the game.

Dion Waiters and Tyler Zeller sat this one out with illnesses and Marreese Speights had 23 points, eight boards and a steal on 10-of-14 shooting in a start at center for Zeller. Keep an eye on him. Kyrie Irving returned from a knee injury for 22 points and a full stat line, rewarding owners who rolled the dice and put him back in lineups. Shaun Livingston still managed eight points and five dimes in 23 minutes, but it’s hard to see him sustaining value as long as Irving is back. Luke Walton somehow had a career-high 12 assists last night, but should be ignored until further notice.

E’Twaun Moore and Beno Udrih disappeared in the return of Jameer Nelson, who started after missing six straight games with a knee injury. He had 15 points, two 3-pointers and seven assists in 37 minutes. Nice work if you were brave enough to throw him into your lineup. Tobias Harris bounced back with 15 points and a 3-pointer on 6-of-9 shooting, along with five boards and two steals in 31 minutes. I started him in several leagues this week, and feel good about it after Sunday’s 3-of-14 shooting disaster. Andrew Nicholson played just 16 minutes, and has become a fantasy liability due to a lack of consistent playing time, while Moe Harkless stayed relevant with 13 points, four boards, two steals and a block in 37 minutes. Arron Afflalo had 26 points with five boards, five assists and a steal in the win.

Anthony Davis played through his shoulder injury after missing a couple and had 17 points, 15 rebounds and four blocks in 39 minutes. This was one of his better lines of the season, and I hope it wasn’t wasted on your bench, as it was on mine. Eric Gordon had 17 points and three 3-pointers, but didn’t do much else and appears to be unlikely to play in one of the Hornets two games this Saturday and Sunday. Greivis Vasquez, Al-Farouq Aminu and Ryan Anderson all produced, while Robin Lopez had an off night with nine points, four rebounds and zero blocks.

LeBron, Wade lead Heat over Wolves

LeBron James’ knee injury didn’t appear to be a problem last night, when he hit 9-of-16 shots for 20 points, 10 boards and another full stat line in a win over the Wolves. Dwyane Wade had 32 points, seven boards and 10 assists on 15-of-23 shooting, helping the Heat win their 15th straight game. Chris Bosh added 11 points and nine boards after grabbing just one rebound in his previous game.

Ricky Rubio left briefly with a left knee injury, but was able to return, finishing with 14 points, five boards, eight assists, six steals and two 3-pointers, hitting a somewhat miraculous 6-of-11 shots for one of his best lines of the season. This is his surgically repaired knee, so owners will want to keep an eye out for more information going forward, but he looks fine. Nikola Pekovic was out with his abdominal strain and J.J. Barea hit just 1-of-11 shots before being ejected after committing a flagrant foul on Ray Allen. Hopefully he’s not suspended for a game, and was playing well coming into this one. Derrick Williams stayed hot with a season-high 25 points to go along with 10 rebounds and a 3-pointer in 45 minutes. As I’ve been saying everywhere lately, he’s become a must-own, must-start player, and came through again last night. Dante Cunningham had eight points, 11 boards, a steal and a block, as Andrei Kirilenko (calf) and Pekovic missed another game. Cunningham is worth a close look as long as Kirilenko remains out with his injury. Alexey Shved had 13 points, but I’d still rather own Luke Ridnour and Barea instead.

Bucks beat Jazz in OT behind Jennings’ assists

Brandon Jennings stayed hot, hitting 8-of-14 shots for 20 points, 17 assists, three steals and four 3-pointers in 47 minutes. He had 19 assists on Saturday, and it’s possible that he has finally figured out how to play with Monta Ellis and J.J. Redick. Enjoy the ride while he’s this hot. Monta Ellis did it again with 34 points and a full stat line, shooting lights-out by hitting 15-of-21 shots, while Redick added 17 points and three 3-pointers in 30 minutes. I’d be surprised if these three guards continue to all stay this hot while competing for minutes, but anything is possible. The Larry Sanders show was on again last night, as he had eight points, 16 rebounds and six more blocks. Hey now! Ersan Ilyasova hit just 3-of-13 shots on the night for seven points, but should bounce back, while Samuel Dalembert made an appearance with eight points, nine rebounds, two steals and a block. Continue to ignore him for now.

Derrick Favors scored a career-high 23 points with 15 boards, a steal and a block in a tough loss to the Bucks. Al Jefferson sat this one out with a sprained ankle, and anytime that happens, Favors is a safe bet for production. Enes Kanter added 18 points, 10 rebounds and a block, but was a risky weekly start with Jefferson’s status for the week still in question. Paul Millsap returned from his ankle injury to join the party, and had 22 points, 14 rebounds, three assists and three steals in 44 minutes of the overtime loss. Gordon Hayward stunk, hitting just 3-of-16 shots, but still managed 13 points, seven boards, five assists and a 3-poiner in the loss. Marvin Williams suffered a hand injury tonight and failed to score, which is more good news for Hayward’s owners going forward, so keep rolling with him. As long as Jefferson is out, Millsap, Favors and Kanter look like must-starts. Mo Williams is targeting a Wednesday return from his thumb injury and given that the Jazz literally got nothing from their starting guards (Randy Foye & Earl Watson), it’s time to pick him up. Alec Burks hit 7-of-10 shots off the bench for 19 points, four assists, two steals and a 3-pointer, but also had six turnovers. He’s worth a close look, but there were simply more minutes to go around tonight with Jefferson in street clothes and Marvin hurting.

Nuggets nuke Hawks, Korver sits out

Corey Brewer had 22 points on 11-of-20 shooting off the bench, while Wilson Chandler had 13 points on 6-of-13 shooting but didn’t hit a 3-pointer in the Denver win. Again, these two will split bench minutes behind Danilo Gallinari, making both of them pretty risky plays going forward. Gallo had just seven points on 3-of-6 shooting, but played 27 minutes and should get better with each game he plays. Ty Lawson, Andre Iguodala and Kenneth Faried all played well in the easy win.

Jeff Teague suffered a sprained left ankle in the first half, but played through it and had 15 points, eight assists and two steals, but hit just 6-of-17 shots. He’s fine. Al Horford stayed hot with 18 points, 13 boards, a steal and a block on 9-of-16 shooting, while Josh Smith added 15 points and a full stat line, despite hitting just 6-of-17 shots. Devin Harris had 11 points, a 3-pointer, two rebounds, two assists and two blocks in 21 minutes, rewarding owners who rolled the dice on him this week. Kyle Korver was a surprise DNP with a toe injury, helping John Jenkins score 12 points, and we’ll have to see if Korver’s ready for Wednesday against the Sixers. Anthony Tolliver got a rare start in his absence and had nine points, three 3-pointers and a block in the loss, while Zaza Pachulia sat this one out with his sore Achilles.

Blazers roast Bobcats, Mullens injured early

Nicolas Batum shook off his sore wrist and blew up for 20 points and four 3-pointers on 8-of-11 shooting with four boards, five dimes and a block. Welcome back! Wesley Matthews is finally getting over his ankle problem and had 14 points, four 3-pointers, four assists and a block in 36 minutes, and should be safe to get back into lineups. Damian Lillard, LaMarcus Aldridge and J.J. Hickson also had very nice lines for the Blazers. Meyers Leonard had a career-high 15 points on 6-of-8 shooting and added six boards in the win. The Bobcats have a way of giving up big lines to marginal players, but Leonard appears to be heating up, scoring between 12 and 15 points in each of his last three games, so keep a close eye on him if you need a center. Eric Maynor had 10 points and three assists, and might be worth a close look in deeper leagues.

Byron Mullens suffered a knee injury just three minutes into last night’s game, but reports are that it’s not serious and that he wanted to return to the game. He’s in a funk and this injury isn’t going to do anything to make his owners feel better. And I don’t feel great about owning him, or telling you all I was going to continue to roll with him. Here’s to hoping the injury isn’t serious and that he’ll bounce back on Wednesday (or at least play). Josh McRoberts had nine points, eight boards and a block in 23 minutes, and would benefit if Mullens misses time. Ramon Sessions exploded for 18 points on 8-of-11 shooting, but hadn’t done much over his last few games due to a lack of minutes. He played 27 of them last night, so keep an eye on him going forward. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist had 17 points and 10 boards on 8-of-11 shooting, and is heating up for the Cats. Kemba Walker hit just 5-of-20 shots for 15 points, 11 dimes and three assists, and remains a must-start in all formats. Ben Gordon scored 14 points in 16 minutes, but should continue to be ignored in most formats due to his shaky playing time.

Warriors run past Raptors despite Bargnani’s awakening

Andrew Bogut started on Monday despite his back injury and had four points, eight boards and a block on 2-of-4 shooting in 30 minutes. I haven’t been a fan of holding him and last night didn’t do much to change my mind, although he’s not expected to be limited going forward (we’ve heard that one before). David Lee went off with 29 points and 11 rebounds, Stephen Curry added 26 points and 12 assists, and Klay Thompson came through with 22 points and four 3-pointers on 8-of-11 shooting. Jarrett Jack also came back to life with 16 points, six assists and two steals in 38 minutes, while Carl Landry took the “Bogut hit,” playing just 13 minutes for 12 points and three rebounds. Landry’s outlook isn’t too bright as long as Bogut plays.

Andrea Bargnani was iffy for Monday with an illness but somehow started at power forward and went off for 26 points and five 3-pointers on 8-of-18 shooting in 36 minutes, adding seven rebounds and a block. He hit rock bottom recently, but is heating up again and deserves to be picked up if he was dropped in your league. I, for one, and pretty surprised at how well he’s played over his last couple games, and the start he got for Rudy Gay on Saturday appears to have helped his confidence. Gay returned from his back spasms and played well with 26 points, five rebounds, four steals, a block and a 3-pointer on 10-of-22 shooting, so I hope he was in your lineup last night after missing Saturday’s game. Kyle Lowry hit just 2-of-9 shots, but still missed a triple-double by just one assist, while Amir Johnson came off the bench to hit 10-of-10 shots for 23 points, 15 boards and two blocks. Nice. DeMar DeRozan scored 15 despite the explosions from Bargnani, Gay and Johnson.

News and Notes

There was no word of a Serge Ibaka suspension for the "groin punch" Monday, but stay tuned on Tuesday.

Danny Granger’s experiencing “above average soreness” in his left knee and I’d be surprised to see him do much this week, as his knee remains a big concern.

Zach Randolph is experiencing swelling in his ankle and remains questionable for Wednesday. Darrell Arthur is also experiencing neck and back pain, meaning Ed Davis could have a big line tomorrow if Z-Bo can’t go.

Bradley Beal sounds like he avoided a serious ankle injury and is considered questionable for Wednesday. Stay tuned.

Nick Young (ankle), who has really been struggling when healthy, won’t play for the Sixers on Tuesday and may miss the whole week, meaning Dorell Wright should continue to get some nice run. Wright has hit double digits in scoring in five of his last seven games and could be worth a pickup with Young’s injury.

Steve "Dr. A" Alexander is the senior editor for the NBA for Rotoworld.com and a contributor to NBCSports.com. The 2014-15 NBA season marks his 13th year of covering fantasy hoops for Rotoworld. Follow him on Twitter - @Docktora.Email :Steve Alexander